Butler Foundation sets new record with annual fundraiser

The Butler Community College Foundation raised just over $176,000 at the annual fundraiser, A Vintage Evening 2013, topping their 2012 efforts by more than $20,000.

Julie Clements

The Butler Community College Foundation raised just over $176,000 at the annual fundraiser, A Vintage Evening 2013, topping their 2012 efforts by more than $20,000.

“We were thrilled with the results of the evening,” said Keri Myers, executive director of development for Butler Community College Foundation. “Attendees were remarkably generous. I think it positively reflects on the generosity of our community as well as the great things that are going on at Butler.”

The evening was filled with fun and energy as Butler students helped display the auction items, and played characters throughout the room, including Johnny Appleseed and Marie Antoinette. Other students involved included the hospitality and culinary arts students, theatre students who helped with decor and the football players.

“We try to have a really fun time, but also educate attendees about what is going on at the college,” Myers said. “The different departments in the college really came through. It’s a team effort.”

Top-selling items included two seven-course dinners to be prepared by retired Butler President Dr. Jackie Vietti, entitled The Last Italian Supper. The first sold for $8,700, prompting Vietti to make a second impromptu offering that generated another $7,000 for the college.

“That was definitely a very exciting moment at the event,” Myers said.

Other noteworthy items auctioned off included rounds of golf at Big Horn Golf Course in Palm Desert, Calif., donated by R.D. and Joan Hubbard; The Frontier Western Celebration VIP Experience; Cocoa Dolce Year of Chocolate; BG Products Veterans Stadium Panoramic Photo taken from the grand opening football game; and Symphony in the Flint Hills tickets for this year’s event at historic Fort Riley.

At one point in the evening they had an opportunity for anyone to give a $1,000 tax deductible gift, which raised $20,000.

“I think we have a great mix of corporate sponsors and generous individuals that care about the college,” Myers said. “We have a nice mix of people from within El Dorado and surrounding areas that look forward to the event.”

The event is crucial to the Foundation.

“This is the premier fundraising event for the Butler Foundation,” Myers said. “It supports our Annual Fund. It allows us to do what we do. It’s a great way to introduce people to Butler and things that are going on.”

Two couples recognized during the event were the auction chairs, Tom McKibban and Cathy Cooper and Bob and Jennifer Lane.

“They were instrumental in making great things happen at the college,” Myers said. “It is a nice opportunity to honor two couples who had been involved in the positive things that have been going on at the college.”

They also recognized the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus, which was McKibban.

Myers said they wanted to thank HollyFrontier as a presenting host sponsor.

“We also want to thank the businesses including the small businesses that made generous donations,” she said. “We encourage those attending to patronize those businesses because they are doing good things for the community.”